Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855; 1857 – 1890; 1892 – 1955), Saturday 19 November 1881, page 4
THE JONES COMPENSATION COMMISSION.
The commission appointed to enquire into the claim made by Mrs. Jones for the destruction of her hotel at Glenrowan on the memorable occasion of the Kelly gang extermination, sat at the Court-house, Benalla, on Friday. The board consisted of Messrs. Longmore, Templeton and Tyler, with Mr. Williams as secretary.
Robt. W. Jarvis, of Wangaratta, stated that he found the sum required for building the hotel, which he valued at £200.
To Mr. Chomley (instructed by Mr Wrixon): Have been paid all the money advanced on the building. Witness effected an insurance on the building for £100. Was not aware that any insurance was on the stock.
To Mr. Dwyer: Did not include the cost of the kitchen in the valuation, which would have been worth £30 or £40 more; furniture, £60 or £70; tobacco, £10; case brandy and stock-in-trade, £60; cooking utensils, £5; value of business lost, £500.
Ann Jones, examined, said she was a married woman. Her husband was a line repairer on the Gippsland Railway. He did not interfere in the business. Her family, consisting of four boys and two girls, lived with her. The hotel at Glenrowan enabled witness to maintain herself and family, and pay off some old debts. Valued the bar at £200; kitchen, £40; furniture, £75; stock – in – trade, £60; clothing, £70; poultry, £4. The takings were about £7 per week, and the profits would be from 100 to 200 per cent. Had been offered £200 for the place, but would not sell it. Had been living with neighbors since the fire.
To Mr. Chomley: Lived in the house about 18 months. Was in business in Bendigo. Was also in business at Wangaratta, and lived at Glenrowan about 17 years ago. Julia Hart was staying with witness. Kate Kelly and Mrs. Skillian would not go to witness’s house, because it was the resort of the police. It was one o’clock in the morning when the outlaws made witness and other inmates of the hotel get up to go to the station. It was untrue that witness asked Hart to have breakfast, as they all had breakfast at Mr. Stanistreet’s. Witness danced with Dan Kelly, and had asked Constable Bracken to dance with her. Witness begged that the people’s lives might be saved, and when the police came put out all the fires.
To Mr. Dwyer: What she did was done through fear of the outlaws; and witness received no money from them, and had nothing whatever to do with them before-hand.
To the Board: Had about £30 before going into the house, and about £12 at the time of the fire. Witness’s husband sent her money every month. She and her husband are on good terms with each other.
Jane and Thomas Jones, children of last witness, gave corroborative evidence.
William C. Hearn said that he was a brewer living at Wangaratta, and served Mrs. Jones with beer. Always got an order on calling once a month.
Constable Hugh Bracken, examined, said in June last year he called on Mrs. Jones. Remembered the outlaws coming there. Previous to that had called there for a man named Grey. Mrs. Jones was sick in bed, and sent for witness. She wanted to know the news. Told her that she ought to tell him (witness) where the Kellys were, and get the £8000. She said none of her breed had ever earned money that way. Mrs. Jones was honest with witness. She hoped the police and Kellys would never meet; as “fifty police would not stand against the Kellys.”
James Reardon and Denis Sullivan also gave evidence; but nothing fresh was elicited from those witnesses.
Alexander Tone, auctioneer, of Wangaratta, stated that he valued the hotel at £150, the kitchen at £25, and the furniture at £50.
To Mr. Dwyer: Did not go to the hotel to value for the insurance. McDonald’s opposite, was a similar house.
James Knox, Shire secretary, Benalla, said he knew the building, which was rated in 1879 at £30, and in 1880 at £25. This was all the evidence taken at Benalla, and the Board adjourned until Thursday next, when they will meet at the Treasury, Melbourne.
Glenrowan 